| Belle S. Spafford | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9th Relief Society General President | |
| April 6, 1945[1] – October 3, 1974 | |
| Called by | Heber J. Grant |
| Predecessor | Amy Brown Lyman |
| Successor | Barbara B. Smith |
| End reason | Honorable released |
| Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency | |
| 1942 – 1945 | |
| Called by | Amy Brown Lyman |
| Predecessor | Donna D. Sorensen |
| Successor | Gertrude R. Garff |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Marion Isabelle Sims Smith October 8, 1895 Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States |
| Died | February 2, 1982 (aged 86) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Resting place | Redwood Memorial Cemetery 40°37′57″N 111°56′21.84″W / 40.63250°N 111.9394000°W |
| Spouse(s) | W. Earl Spafford |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | John Gibson Smith Hester Sims |
Marion Isabelle Sims Spafford (née Smith; October 8, 1895 – February 2, 1982), known as Belle S. Spafford, was the ninth Relief Society General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from April 6, 1945, until October 3, 1974. She served longer in this capacity than any other woman in the history of the Relief Society. Spafford also served as president of the National Council of Women from 1968 to 1972, traveling and speaking both nationally and internationally in that position.
She served the LDS Church in a variety of other positions and capacities, including as editor of the Relief Society Magazine, founder of the church's social services program, and board of trustees member of the LDS school system. In all of her activities, Spafford consistently spoke of the rights and responsibilities of women.
- ^ Ludlow, Daniel H, ed. (1992). "Appendix 1: Biographical Register of General Church Officers". Encyclopedia of Mormonism. New York: Macmillan Publishing. p. 1648. ISBN 0-02-879602-0. OCLC 24502140.